Naomi Watts

Although she had been performing for more than 15 years in her native Australia, actress Naomi Watts finally landed her breakthrough role when she was tapped by David Lynch to portray an aspiring star...
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Actress Greta Gerwig is in for a psychedelic spring after revealing her plans to seek out a shaman for a mindbending experience. The Frances Ha star's boyfriend, director Noah Baumbach, researched the drugs used by Native American spiritual gurus for an ayahuasca ceremony scene in his new Ben Stiller movie, While We're Young, and Gerwig became so intrigued, she has set up a meeting with her own female shaman within the next month.
She tells the New York Post, "Noah's like, 'Seriously, you're really going to go to a shaman? Like, for real?' But I think it's great."
The ayahuasca therapy ceremony is a ritual involving the consumption of a psychedelic Amazonian tea which can cause vomiting and hallucinations, but the adventurous 31 year old insists she can't wait to try it.
She explains, "You have to work up to ayahuasca. I'm supposed to start with another drug first, which she'll lead me through, and then two months later I can do ayahuasca."
She adds, "I've only had nice experiences with hallucinogens so I believe it will just continue."
However, actress Naomi Watts, who took part in Baumbach's ayahuasca scene in the film, isn't so sure the ancient therapy session is a good idea.
She says, "It's a Peruvian root... It's like a sludgy liquid that you drink... I didn't want to try it."
Watts explains the ritual surrounding the ayahuasca taking is like "a rebirth", adding, "It sounds like something horrific to me and basically it's a roomful of people... and you start vomiting... and you actually nurse your bucket. It's the worst nightmare!"

Naomi Watts made the "mistake" of giving her kids a taste of what she does for a living by showing them a trailer from her 2005 movie King Kong. The actress' young sons were desperate to see one of mum's films and she thought King Kong would be the most family-friendly film for them to see, so she screened the trailer for them to give them a taste of the film - and immediately realised she'd made a bad decision.
Watts tells U.S. chat show host Conan O'Brien, "Your kids do not wanna see you in danger and I did make a mistake and at one point, because they were asking so much about it - 'Mommy and the monkey...' - I thought, 'I'll try the trailer'.
"It was (the part) when I was being sacrificed to King Kong, and that image came up of me screaming and being tied to some kind of stake, and I could see that it was traumatic for them.
"I switched it off right away and I thought, 'Not for another five years, at least'."

"My bike got stolen and then I just thought, 'We're coming out to L.A. so much', I wasn't gonna buy another one, so I did the Citi Bikes for a couple of years. They're good." Actress Naomi Watts is a big fan of New York City's pay-to-ride bikes.

Actress Naomi Watts has been named the new face of Australian fashion and lifestyle brand Sportscraft and will feature in its autumn/winter 2015 collection advertising campaign. The King Kong actress said in a statement, "Sportscraft represents all the things that are a part of me: a working woman, a mother, someone who wants to look classic and well put together."

Actors Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber have been named in a lawsuit over allegations of outstanding construction fees relating to renovation work on their New York home. Contractor John Kemp claims he was hired to work on the couple's Manhattan pad in 2012, but the stars' project manager, Michael Minkoff, reportedly stopped paying him for his efforts in 2013, when the builder was still owed just under $25,000 (£15,625).
Kemp halted the ongoing construction in early 2014 due to the lack of payment, but he claims he was personally contacted by Watts and her assistant, inquiring about when he would be returning to carry out $5,000 (£3,125)-worth of further work.
The plaintiff blames Minkoff for the financial issues, but reveals he was reluctant to file suit against the actors, who may not have even been made aware of the money dispute.
Kemp tells the New York Post, "I had to leave the job because it wasn't paying and he (Minkoff) was making up a whole bunch of stories.
"They (Watts and Schreiber) are unfortunately a party to this just because it's their place."
Minkoff has since hit back, insisting suggestions of unprofessional behaviour on his part are insulting, stating, "I'm not going to lower myself to make any comments. I'm no scam artist."
Watts and Schreiber, who have two young sons, purchased the three bedroom apartment for $3.95 million (£2.47 million) in 2012.

Birdman and The Grand Budapest Hotel were among the winners at the 2015 Costume Designers Guild Awards on Tuesday (17Feb15). During the annual ceremony, held at The Beverly Hilton hotel in California, Michael Keaton's Oscars favourite Birdman scooped the coveted Excellence in Contemporary Film accolade, while rival drama The Grand Budapest Hotel won the Excellence in Period Film award.
Other winners included Into the Woods, which landed the Excellence in Fantasy Film honour for Colleen Atwood's mystical costumes, and TV show Game of Thrones, which earned a nod in the Outstanding Period/Fantasy Television Series category.
Patricia Arquette presented her Boyhood director Richard Linklater with the Distinguished Collaborator Award for his support of costume design over years, while Harrison Ford handed the Career Achievement Award to Aggie Guerard Rodgers, who designed the actor's outfits for films including Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi and The Fugitive.
The ceremony was hosted by actress Emmy Rossum and also featured actress Naomi Watts, who was feted with the Lacoste Spotlight Award for her onscreen fashion sense.

It's easy to get swept up with major Hollywood stars this time of year, gazing at the red carpet and thinking of these celebs as superhuman megastars, but even the biggest names around got their starts in less glamorous ways. Before their Oscars and Emmys, these stars had Pop Tarts and Lisa Frank.
1. Ben Affleck
Dig those smooth moves and that hip phone! The two-time Oscar winner starred in this Burger King commercial before becoming the megastar we know today from films like Good Will Hunting and Gone Girl. His next role may be playing Batman, but now we'll always think of him as this bad boy who breaks the rules.
2. Brad Pitt
It may be crazy to see a superstar like Brad Pitt shelling for potato chips, but if you think about it, not much has really changed for the Oscar-winning Fight Club star since this Pringles commercial: he still looks good enough to make our mouths water.
3. Jennifer Lawrence
Since starring in this commercial for MTV's Super Sweet 16, Hunger Games star Jennifer Lawrence has taught those boys how to properly carry her around on her throne, where this Oscar-winning actress belongs.
4. Stanley Tucci
We've always loved The Devil Wears Prada's Stanley Tucci, but seeing him young and hunky in this Levi's commercial made us love him even more.
5. Steve Carell
Steve Carell may have received his first Oscar nomination for his dramatic role in Foxcatcher, but this commercial shows that he's at his best when he's being funny and lovable.
6. Leonardo DiCaprio
We're like 97% sure we'd take our pants off immediately if Leo came up to us now and told us to "keep it poppin" or to "save some for Daddy." The 5-time Academy Award nominee is underrated even when it comes to his commercials.
7. Haley Joel Osment
We're just gonna throw this out there: The Sixth Sense could have been a much better movie if they'd stuck to the original line, "I see snack dragons." Just saying. Also, not even a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle would eat a pizza that looks that gross, Kraft.
8. Naomi Watts
Young Naomi Watts, the two-time Academy Award nominee you know from films like Birdman and Mulholland Drive, was once a teenager with a thick Australian accent. Like most of us, the near-perfect actress worried about her skin, her figure, and "that one" problem we don't talk about.
9. Bruce Willis and Sharon Stone
"You sound like a commercial." "You buyin' it?" This is the greatest moment of either of their careers. Just kidding, Sharon Stone has gone on to many other performances that are just as good, if not better.
10. Mila Kunis
So, we guess we can thank Mila Kunis for helping make Lisa Frank such a thing in the 90s. It's hard to believe that the star was only two years away from her breakout role on That '70s Show.
11. Elijah Wood:
We've always had a lot of love for Elijah Wood's facial expressions. From Lord of the Rings to Wilfred, his face is sometimes the only thing that makes his performances entertaining. This commercial might just be his shining moment.
12. Kristen Stewart
We love how sassy Kristen Stewart is in this Porsche commercial -- that head nod and "duh" look on her face, as if she would lie about missing her bus, Dad. But secretly, she's all *Live Fast, Die Hard, Bad Girls, Do It Well* #YOLO. Performance of her career, honestly.
13. Meg Ryan
We would personally rather watch a never-ending loop of Meg Ryan's face appearing over the Burger King logo than watch Sleepless in Seattle.
14. Joseph Gordon-Levitt
How many times have we fantasized about the chance to be at Joseph Gordon Levitt's house with him making us breakfast in the morning? Countless. But we never imagined it could be as adorable and delicious as this 1991 Pop Tarts commercial makes it seem.
15. Tobey Maguire
Yo, Spider-Man is having an uncomfortable amount of fun in the bathroom.
16. Corey Feldman
This adorable McDonalds commercial from 1975 may have been heartwarming back then, but 40 years later, it just reminds us how much The Goonies star hasn't aged since he was 4.
17. Demi Moore
We're not sure if the Ghost star was trying to sell Diet Coke by convincing us we might fall in love, or if she was trying to warn us of the dangers and health problems that could arise from drinking it, but we still like it.
18. Keanu Reeves:
Eating cereal has seriously never looked more fun than it does in this commercial. We would love to eat Kelloggs Corn Flakes with Keanu, Matrix style.
19. Stephen Colbert
This ad seems like a news report, and we can totally see a lot of similarities between this FirsTier Bank commercial and The Colbert Report.
20. Matt LeBlanc
Okay, the best things might come to those who wait, but does the Friends star now have to run back up to the roof, or is he just gonna waste that whole bottle of ketchup just to look cool eating one hot dog? Joey. Doesn't. Waste. Food.
21. Courteney Cox
Fun fact: the Friends star was the first person to ever say "period" (referring to menstruation, not punctuation) on TV. She then broke down more boundaries by starring in terribly-named-but-not-actually-terrible TV shows, like Cougar Town.
22. Elisabeth Moss
Are we the only ones watching this commercial as if we're watching Pegy pitch an ad campaign on Mad Men? We can't be.
23. Sarah Michelle Gellar
This 4-year-old Sarah Michelle Gellar just slayed Burger King's competition faster than you could say "Buffy." Un-be-liev-able!
24. Bryan Cranston
Fans were amazed with how Bryan Cranston transformed from the lovable Hal on Malcolm in the Middle into the meth kingpin Heisenberg on Breaking Bad, but the truly incredible transformation of his career happened way earlier. The way he instantly goes from being a skunk to a human is absolutely astonishing.
25. Aaron Paul
This commercial seems like it could actually just be Breaking Bad's Jesse Pinkman waiting to eat his breakfast before heading off to Chemistry with Mr. White, doesn't it? Aaron Paul's gotta have his Pops, bitch!
26. Megan Mullally and John Goodman
We love Karen Walker enough to be able to recognize that incredible voice anywhere, even if it's some place strange, like a McDonalds commercial. While Karen would certainly never actually sell Egg McMuffins, we're pretty sure that Roseanne star John Goodman totally would.
27. Seth Green
We don't mean to diminish the abilities of our favorite werewolf from Buffy the Vampire Slayer or our favorite dimwitted cartoon son from Family Guy, but this is definitely Seth Green's brightest moment. That hair, the accent. He totally nails the 90s goon role with lines like, "Consequently, we can hit on 'em," and "Definitely - NOT!"
28. Tony Hale
Tony Hale won our hearts playing Buster on Arrested Development (and an Emmy playing Gary on Veep), and this commercial proves that he's made a career out of his hilarious concern regarding women's toiletries. We wonder if Gary's Leviathan on Veep has Herbal Essences.
29. Charlie Day
This quirky commercial for Cascade dishwasher detergent looks like Charlie Day just stepped out of an episode of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Graduating and heading straight into retirement also seems like a total Charlie Kelly scheme, doesn't it?
30. Jane Lynch
Okay, the only thing we love more than Frosted Flakes and Tony the Tiger is this commercial with Glee star Jane Lynch camping out everyday trying to sneak a peak at the elusive mascot himself.

Actress Naomi Watts was left red-faced at the Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday (25Jan15) after appearing to trip over her Birdman co-star Emma Stone's long skirt while the ensemble accepted the prize for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. Luckily, Watts managed to regain her balance as she stepped up to the microphone to share a few words of thanks at the Shrine Auditorium ceremony.

Hollywood actress Naomi Watts is to be honoured for her onscreen fashion sense with a special prize from the Costume Designers Guild. The King Kong star will be presented with the Lacoste Spotlight Award at the 2015 Costume Designers Guild Awards (CDGAs), while her latest film Birdman will compete for the Excellence in Contemporary Film honour.
The Spotlight Award is handed to an actor who has a "special awareness of the role and importance of costume design" and Watts follows in the footsteps of Amy Adams, Anne Hathaway, Kate Beckinsale and Halle Berry, who are all previous recipients.
Other honorary prizes will be dished out to Boyhood director Richard Linklater and costume designer Aggie Guerard Rodgers during the ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles on 17 February (15).

Cast alongside Heath Ledger and Orlando Bloom in the Australian film "Ned Kelly"

Played a reporter out to break a curse in the remake of the Japanese horror film "The Ring"

TV series debut on the short-lived NBC drama "Sleepwalkers"

Reprised her role of reporter Rachel Keller in "The Ring Two"

Summary

Although she had been performing for more than 15 years in her native Australia, actress Naomi Watts finally landed her breakthrough role when she was tapped by David Lynch to portray an aspiring starlet in "Mulholland Drive" (2001), the director's bizarre, darkly nightmarish vision of show business. Her vaunted turn propelled the unknown actress into stardom, resulting in leading roles in major Hollywood films and a healthy tabloid interest in her private life when she began dating fellow Aussie actor, Heath Ledger. Watts followed up by starring in the Japanese horror remake, "The Ring" (2002), while turning in an award-worthy performance as a wife and mother grieving the tragic loss of her family in the downbeat "21 Grams" (2003). She next displayed her wide range the following year with the relationship drama "We Don't Live Here Anymore" (2004), the historical drama "The Assassination of Richard Nixon" (2004), and David O. Russell's existential comedy "I [Heart] Huckabees" (2004). Watts reached her widest audience as the damsel in distress in Peter Jackson's "King Kong" (2005), while starring in the sequel "The Ring Two" (2005). After lower key movies like "Eastern Promises" (2007) and "The International" (2009), Watts flirted with further critical acclaim as exposed CIA agent Valerie Plame in "Fair Game" (2010) and a frantic mother searching for her family in "The Impossible" (2012), which underscored her reputation as one of Hollywood's most versatile and beautiful actresses.

Separated from husband when Naomi was four years old; following Naomi's father's death in 1975, her mother relocated the family to North Wales, where they lived with Naomi's grandparents; moved the family to Sydney in 1982, when Naomi was 14

Worked with the band Pink Floyd (his manic laugh kicks off The Dark Side of the Moon); Died in 1975, when Naomi was seven

Education

Name

North Sydney Girls High School

Notes

"I think my spirit has taken a beating. The most painful thing has been the endless auditions. Knowing that you have something to offer, but not being able to show it, is so frustrating. As an unknown, you get treated badly. I auditioned and waited for things I did not have any belief in, but I needed the work and had to accept horrendous pieces of shit." – Watts quoted in London's Sunday Times, Jan. 6, 2002

"Well, there's a scene where I masturbate. I was really freaked but you don't bail out of a scene with David Lynch. I had a camera an inch away from my face, going down to my crotch. All I wanted to do was cry. While we were filming the scene, I happened to develop a case... hmmm, what's the word you'd use in print? I was on the toilet all day. I think it was nerves." – Watts on the most difficult scene to film for "Mulholland Dr." as quoted in Rolling Stone magazine, August 2001

"I saw someone that I felt had a tremendous talent, and I saw someone who had a beautiful soul, an intelligence, possibilities for a lot of different roles, so it was a beautiful package." – David Lynch on why he cast Watts in "Mulholland Dr." to The Los Angeles Times, Oct. 12, 2001

"My work is the only thing I've been able to depend on. I've never been completely secure in a relationship to the point where I've felt like I'm going to be completely taken care of emotionally." – Watts to Interview magazine, November 2001

"My twenties just floated by. I'm not sure if it was unawareness or arrogance. But in the past couple of years, I've become aware of who I am. Does that sound too corny? I've come alive as an actor and as a person. I've gained a lot of confidence. I'm one of those people who knows that if I'm up against too much, I retreat. I suck at auditions. Absolutely suck. I'm really shy." – Watts quoted in Movieline, November 2001

"Auditions are just so humiliating and degrading. You get a five-minute time slot for a part you've spent six hours or more studying for or thinking about, and you get into these rooms full of people who barely make eye contact. They're bored and frustrated that they can't find the right person, energy that is instantly crushing and which makes it hard to shine. Going through that process over and over, you become so wounded and guarded that it's impossible to give your best stuff away. That's why I will never forget what David Lynch did for me. When he cast me in 'Mulholland Dr.' I was literally at the lowest place, and yet he managed to pull away all those masks." – Watts quoted in Interview magazine, September 2002

"Look, I would be lying if I said hurtful things didn't hurt me. I am a sensitive person. Nobody knows anything about our relationship, so I can see why they would try to label it, and they are entitled to that, I suppose. That's what we get for being in the public eye. But I don't really have to get out there and defend it or define it in any way. It is ours, and I want to do my best to protect it." – Watts on the hurtful press about her relationship with Heath Ledger, quoted in W magazine, March 2004

"Naomi has the ability to draw an audience into the interior life of the characters she plays and yet she manages to conceal more than she reveals, so you're always wanting more." – Peter Jackson on Watts to Vanity Fair magazine, January 2006